The Joys and Painful Struggles of Bar Ownership
Lessons in building a profitable cocktail institution from Donna’s Leif Huckman—before the pandemic closed his doors for good
Tag: Bars
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Wine Bar Operators Share Their Secrets to Survival
Flexible business models and creative community engagement allow wine bars to stay profitable even in tumultuous times
How Portland’s Mindy Kucan Went From Bartender to Perfumer
From slinging calvados cocktails behind the bar at Normandie to creating custom natural perfume, Kucan pursues her two passions
The Hotel Bar, Transformed
How creative operators are reinventing wine programs, finding new revenue streams, and mastering cocktails-to-go
The Resilience of Gay Bars
As Pride bounces back, Betsy Andrews revisits iconic gay bars, the sites of LGBTQ+ community activism from the 1969 Stonewall Uprising to the anti-gun violence movement
How Bars Are Embracing the Low- and No-Alcohol Trend
Bartenders share their approach to the rising demand for low-octane drinks and mindful drinking spaces—and even the “sober bar”
How to Profitably Turn Over Old Stock
From offering holiday specials to training bartenders to hand-sell bottles, wine buyers share their best strategies for closing out inventory
5 Tactics for Turning New Bartenders Into Long-Term Employees
From sharing P&L reports to establishing rigorous apprentice structures—how top bar operators assemble teams as the cocktail industry grows
How AR Is Reinventing Drinks Marketing
Interactive augmented reality apps and multisensory experiences create new opportunities for engaging with consumers
5 Ways to Crush Happy Hour Sales
Strategies for attracting a diverse and loyal happy hour crowd—and boosting profits
The Evolution of Draft Cocktail Programs
Emerging turnkey draft solutions are helping more venues expand their drink menus and improve profitability
Minimalism Comes to the Cocktail Bar
Why some venues are choosing to offer a limited drinks program